The U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC), in partnership with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and the Ministry of Investment (MISA), hosted the forum “Unlocking Opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s Entertainment Sector” on September 8, 2025, at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills in California. The forum brought together senior Saudi officials, giga-project executives, and U.S. industry leaders to explore partnership and investment opportunities in one of the Kingdom’s fastest-growing markets.
The forum featured keynote presentations, a networking lunch, and one-on-one meetings that provided participants with direct access to decision-makers shaping the Kingdom’s entertainment and leisure economy. Senior representatives from Saudi Arabia’s most prominent organizations and giga-projects participated, including the General Entertainment Authority, the Ministry of Investment, and New Murabba. Together, these entities showcased the core of Saudi Arabia’s rapidly developing entertainment ecosystem, spanning cultural destinations, theme parks, major festivals, and large-scale urban projects.
Distinguished speakers included Mohannad Alabbad, Chief Investment and Business Development Officer at the General Entertainment Authority; Ana Carmen Neboisa, Vice President at the U.S.-Saudi Business Council; Justin Beaves, Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of URWLD; and Majed AlEid, Entertainment Sector Director at the Ministry of Investment. Their insights highlighted both the Kingdom’s remarkable progress and the growing opportunities for U.S. companies.
“It was a privilege for the Council to work alongside the General Entertainment Authority in showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing entertainment sector,” said Charles S. Hallab, President and CEO of the U.S.-Saudi Business Council. “This event highlighted one of the Council’s Quality of Life initiative, which connects U.S. companies with transformative opportunities that enhance cultural, recreational, and social well-being in the Kingdom. By facilitating these connections, the Council continues to strengthen the foundation for long-term collaboration between U.S. and Saudi partners in this vibrant sector.”
Saudi Arabia’s entertainment sector has seen double-digit growth in recent years, attracting more than 72 million visitors in 2024. The Kingdom is advancing transformative projects such as Qiddiya, Diriyah, and King Salman Park, which will feature world-class attractions, cultural venues, and entertainment facilities. Major festivals like Riyadh Season, MDLBEAST Soundstorm, and Jeddah Season are further drawing global audiences and international stars. U.S. companies including Warner Bros. Discovery, and Six Flags are already partnering with Saudi entities, underscoring the potential for American expertise to shape the Kingdom’s ambitious entertainment vision.
